Agreement between Minn. hospital and interim CEO released

SLAYTON, Minn. — The agreement for services between Murray County Medical Center (MCMC) and its new interim CEO, John Osse, has been released, which details Osse’s specific responsibilities for the hospital as well as the financial compensation agreement.

By:
Erin Trester, Forum News Service

SLAYTON, Minn. — The agreement for services between Murray County Medical Center and its new interim CEO, John Osse, has been released, which details Osse’s specific responsibilities for the hospital as well as the financial compensation agreement.

Osse was appointed to the position late March when former CEO Mel Snow resigned. He is privately contracted through Interim Healthcare Management Inc. (IHM), a Wyoming corporation.

According to the agreement, MCMC shall neither have nor exercise any control over the methods by which IHM, as an independent contractor, performs its work function, even though Osse is privately contracted through IHM.

Osse gave an update on the work being done to address some of the issues the hospital faces.

“I have been speaking with staff members to acquaint myself with everyone, as well as face some of the issues,” Osse said. “There is a controversy going on, and so right now my focus is on the hospital and staff. We have started programs to benefit both.”

The sole interest and responsibility of IHM and Osse, according to the agreement, is to ensure that services required by the agreement shall be performed and rendered in a competent, efficient and satisfactory manner.

Osse stated that employee exit interviews are now taking place, and that he would review them. He has also initiated an employee survey to be handed out to address some matters, as well as continuing a patient survey already in place before Osse started as interim CEO.

In supervising the staff, Osse will be responsible for ensuring that staff adheres to the policies and procedures of MCMC. Hiring, compensating, supervising and terminating staff as directed by the MCMC executive team is necessary in carrying out the day-to-day operations of MCMC in accordance with its policies and procedures.

“Right now I’m in the investigating stage, but we just issued our first staff newsletter to keep everyone informed of what’s going on,” Osse said.

“We had our first health fair on Saturday,” he said. “(It) was very successful, so we’ve been doing a lot of community outreach.”

MCMC is also compensating IHM for the following services provided:

• A monthly fee of $15,709 will be paid to Osse, and MCMC will reimburse IHM Inc. for approved expenses incurred on Osse’s behalf.

• MCMC also agreed to provide off-campus housing to Osse at no cost to him or IHM.

• Osse will be allowed, once a month, to leave at noon Wednesday and resume his duties the following Tuesday without loss of compensation to return home to visit family.

• He will also be provided a car by MCMC, but will be responsible for gas — except when the car is used for official business.

• Osse will remain the interim CEO for one year, until a permanent CEO is found.

“So far everyone has made me feel welcome. Not just in the hospital — the whole community has been very welcoming and friendly,” Osse said.

He stated in a meeting with the MCMC Board of Directors March 26 that the process will not be done in a year. His goal, though, is to address as many issues as possible and start a healing process in advance of the next person’s hiring.